Congress honors Israeli President

Congressional Gold Medal awarded to Shimon Peres

House Speaker John Boehner, Vice President Joe Biden, and Congressional leaders honored outgoing Israeli President Shimon Peres with a Congressional Gold Medal.

In his remarks, Speaker Boehner noted the ceremony was taking place in the Capitol Rotunda, under the gaze of George Washington, a founder of the United States. “We present the gold medal to another founder,” he said of Peres.

Peres was the 9th president of Israel and also served as prime minister of the Middle Eastern country. He won the Noble Peace Prize in 1994 and has written several books.

Lawmakers praised his long history of public service and his dedication to peace talks in the Middle East. Vice President Biden called him a “force of nature.”

“When this man stands up, everyone listens,” Biden said.

Peres thanked Congress for the award, which is its highest civilian honor.

“I am honored,” he said. “I have always felt at home in the United States.”